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ENVIRONMENT, FOOD AND RURAL AFFAIRS

Animal Welfare

Mr. Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (1) whether the United Kingdom will seek to ensure that it remains mandatory for member states to support measures to improve animal welfare standards in negotiations in Council on the European Commission proposal for a Council Regulation on support for rural development by the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development (COM(2004) 490); and if she will make a statement; [217181]

(2) whether her Department is representing the (a) Scottish Executive and (b) Welsh Assembly in negotiations in Council on the European Commission proposal for a Council Regulation on support for rural development by the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development (COM(2004) 490); [217182]

(3) how many officials from the Animal Welfare Division of her Department have been involved in the discussions with representatives of the European Commission and other member states about the European Commission proposal for a Council Regulation on support for rural development by the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development (COM(2004) 490). [217183]

Alun Michael: The negotiations on the rural development regulation are continuing and throughout discussions the UK has been pushing for the necessary flexibility for member states to implement rural development programmes which reflect each countries priorities and circumstances and deliver the maximum public benefits. In accordance with this the UK has supported the inclusion of a measure to allow support for farmers who voluntarily meet higher animal welfare standards but have asked the Commission for clarification on their reasons for it being compulsory.

Defra officials represent the UK position in EU negotiations on the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development and argue in accordance with a negotiating line agreed by Ministers. The Ministers of the devolved Administrations are fully involved in discussions regarding the formulation of the UK policy position and we benefit from the support of their officials. Devolved officials generally deal direct with the Commission on issues relating to devolved rural development programmes. Within Defra officials from across the Department, including animal welfare division, and Ministers have been fully involved in agreeing the UK negotiating line.

Congestion Charge

Mr. George Osborne: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how much has been spent on congestion (a) charges and (b) penalty charge notices by the Department since the commencement of the congestion charging scheme. [213818]

Alun Michael: The information requested is as follows:
 
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(a) Since the commencement of the congestion charging scheme a total of £3,620 has been paid as at January 2005.

(b) During the same period the total paid in penalty charges is £240.

Dairy Farming

Mr. Hoyle: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will make a statement on the future of dairy farming in Lancashire. [216196]

Alun Michael: The UK dairy sector has a sustainable future and, in line with its "Strategy for Sustainable Farming and Food", the Government will work with the industry to facilitate and support its development. The UK has a comparative advantage in terms of climate, farm efficiency and size over many of its competitors. If those involved in the dairy supply chain can work together to maximise this potential and address some of the difficulties it faces, then there is no reason why it should not succeed.

Departmental Catering

Mr. George Osborne: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many departmental (a) canteens and (b) bars there are; and how much has been spent on the (i) running, (ii) staffing and (iii) supply costs of each in each year since 1997. [213619]

Alun Michael: The Department was created in June 2001. There are 12 sites which have a catering facility to which Defra makes a contribution towards running costs. The total costs are:

	£
2001–02	398,058
2002–03	432,328
2003–04	453,490

Note:
£15,600 additional contribution towards staffing costs in London restaurants

The Department regrets it is unable to split the costs as required. There is a bar and social club at one of the sites, all running costs are met by the Sports and Social Club.

Departmental Policies (Chorley)

Mr. Hoyle: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what grants her Department makes available to farmers in Chorley. [216199]

Alun Michael: The England Rural Delivery Programme (ERDP) contributes to the delivery of the Government's Strategy for Sustainable Farming and Food by helping farmers and foresters to respond better to consumer requirements and become more competitive, diverse, flexible and environmentally responsible. It also provides help to rural businesses and communities which need to adapt and develop.
 
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The ERDP provides a framework for the operation of 10 separate but integrated schemes which provide new opportunities to protect and improve the countryside, to develop sustainable enterprises and to help rural communities to thrive. A total of £1.6 billion of EU and Government money is being made available under these schemes in England during the seven years (2000–06) of the Programme. Within Lancashire there a re nine ERPD funded schemes available of which the Rural Development Service administers seven. These are, Countryside Stewardship Scheme, Rural Enterprise Scheme, Process and Marketing Scheme, Vocational Training Scheme, Energy Crop Scheme, Organic Farm Scheme and Farm Woodland Premium Scheme.

The Rural Payments Agency and Forestry Commission administer the Hill Farm Allowance and Woodland Grant Scheme respectively.

To date, within Lancashire, the ERDP has funded (through RDS administered schemes) £3 million of projects and training as well as annual payments of £2.5 million to CSS agreement holders.

The Forestry Commission as yet does not currently make specific allocations to counties, but it is moving towards regional allocations through the Regional Forestry Framework and it is envisaged that this will in turn lead to county allocations. During 2004 the Woodland Grant Scheme paid out £300,000 towards new planting and woodland management plans. Within the constituency of Chorley, the total ERDP payments for 2004 were £152,000.

Defra will shortly launch a new scheme called Environmental Stewardship (ES). ES will be launched in England early 2005 to replace the existing agri-environment schemes (Environmentally Sensitive Areas, Countryside Stewardship and Organic Farming Schemes). ES has been developed with a high level of public consultation and a significant and much appreciated contribution from stakeholder organisations.

Footpaths

Mr. Steen: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many footpaths have been temporarily closed for over five years; for what reasons in each case; and when she expects each to be re-opened. [217441]

Alun Michael: Local highway authorities are responsible for the management of footpaths and therefore all information relating to temporary closures is held by them and not central Government. The information could be gathered only at a disproportionate cost.

Free Trade

Mr. Curry: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs pursuant to the answer to the hon. Member for Solihull (Mr. Taylor) of 8 February 2005, Official Report, columns 1363–364W, on free trade, which items are included in the basket of food on which the Government bases the estimate that the cost of the Common Agricultural Policy to a family of four in the UK is in the range of £4.50 to £5.00. [216878]

 
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Alun Michael: We estimate the consumer cost of the Common Agricultural Policy by assessing the difference between the domestic price of agricultural products and the world price of agricultural products, generally measured at the farm-gate level. This price difference is multiplied by the volume of consumption in the UK. The calculation is made for the following commodities: cereals, oilseeds, rice, sugar, milk, beef, sheep meat, pigment, poultry meat, eggs, fruit and vegetables, wine, olive oil, and tobacco.

The cost for a notional family of four is derived from the total cost for the UK using population data.

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